Manchester City parade Premier League trophy after beating Liverpool to title

On the day that England’s provisional World Cup squad was announced, it was notable that the Premier League champions were celebrating their success with a distinct lack of Englishmen aboard an open-top bus.

FA chairman Greg Dyke has described Manchester City’s title triumph as ‘pretty depressing’ and one look at their teamsheet for Sunday’s final game at home to West Ham told you why.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart was the only English player in their line-up at the Etihad before he was joined by James Milner 14 minutes from the end.

VIDEO Scroll down for Plethora of City fans descend on Albert Square for title party

All together now: Manchester players celebrate during the Barclays Premier League victory Parade

Turnout: The streets of Manchester were lined by City fans as the team paraded the trophy

Thumbs up: Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during the victory Parade

Silverware: Manchester City's James Milner and captain Vincent Kompany during the parade

Watching on: Manchester City's Jesus Navas takes in the crowd during the paradr

Micah Richards, City’s longest-serving
player, admitted yesterday that he was ‘gutted’ to have played so few
games this season that he did not even qualify for a winners’ medal and
indicated he is likely to leave in the coming weeks.

Former England internationals Joleon
Lescott and Gareth Barry – currently on loan at Everton – are expected
to follow as their contracts run out this summer. Jack Rodwell and Scott
Sinclair, on loan at West Brom, could also leave if a buyer can be
found, and Milner is entering the final year of his current deal.

The
issue is an even bigger concern for City considering that they face
having the number of foreign players in their Champions League squad
next season cut by four under the proposed sanctions by UEFA for
breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.

Richards
has made 244 appearances for City but was restricted to just two in the
Premier League this season due to the form of Pablo Zabaleta. The
24-year-old is set to turn down the offer of an improved deal, with City
considering France right-back Bacary Sagna from Arsenal as a
replacement.

‘I’m proud for
the boys but gutted I didn’t qualify for an actual medal,’ said
Richards. ‘We’ll see what happens now. I’ll take the summer to think
over things. I’ve been here 11 years and I’ve enjoyed every minute.

‘I’m
sure a lot of people hope I stay but when your games are limited
sometimes you have to do what’s best for your career. I need to address
that.’

Hanging oN: A Manchester City supporter watches from a lamp post by the city's town hall

Hello! Manchester City's manager Manuel Pellegrini waves to the crowd at the Town Hall

All aboard: Vincent Kompany lifts the trophy as Manchester City take to the streets on the bus

Boys are in town: Sergio Aguero signals to the crowd as the City players lap up the appreciation

However, Milner
insisted that it was unfair to single out City and countered Dyke’s
comments by claiming that England are benefitting from their
internationals playing alongside the likes of David Silva and Sergio
Aguero every week.

He said:
‘You could say Manchester City haven’t got many English players but we
have a quota, the same as everyone else. You can’t say it’s Manchester
City.

‘I have been here for
four years playing alongside the likes of David Silva, Sergio Aguero and
these kind of guys so I can say I am a better player now than I was
four years ago.’

The debate
mattered little to City and their supporters on Monday night as tens of
thousands of fans gathered in Albert Square and along a one-mile route
through Manchester to celebrate a second title in three years.

Manuel
Pellegrini and his players appeared in front of the town hall before
leaving for an open-top bus parade and then caught a late flight to Abu
Dhabi.

Party time: Manchester City celebrate at the Town Hall as they prepare to embark on the parade

Painting the town blue: Manchester City celebrate winning the Premier League on Sunday

Captain fantastic: Vincent Kompany lifts the Premier League trophy ahead of the parade

Party time: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini and his players appear with the trophy

Big hitters: Pellegrini is joined by (from left to right) Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Joe Hart

Spot the players: Manchester City celebrate after clinching the Premier League title on the final day

Reception: Manchester City players gather outside the Town Hall as they prepare to start the parade

All ages: A young Manchester City supporter waves a flag as he and others prepare to celebrate at the parade

Iconic: Manchester City fans gather at the Town Hall ahead of the parade of the Premier League trophy

Glimpse: Manager Manuel Pellegrini was seen at a window at the Town Hall ahead of the parade